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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Riley Cooper during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Here's a look at the top storylines and big matchups from around the nation as we near kickoff on another Sunday of NFL football:

The Big Buzz: Battle of the Birds

Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m. ET

In this Nov. 17, 2013 file photo, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws a pass as he is pressured by the Jacksonville Jaguars defense during the first half of an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla. After a difficult start, Palmer seems to have a grasp on Arizona coach Bruce Arians' complicated offense with two superb performances to cap a four-game Cardinals winning streak. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton, File)

Even with a trio of Thanksgiving games diluting the pool this week, today offers perhaps the most competitive slate of games that we've seen from any Sunday so far this season. A handful of games will have a major impact on the races for wild-card positions, division titles and home-field advantage for the playoffs in both the AFC and the NFC.

One of the fun things about the NFL at this time of year is watching the hot teams shock the world. A month ago we'd never have figured Philadelphia or Arizona to be in competition for anything but a high draft position. Now, admit it: You wouldn't be surprised if either one of these teams, playing the way they are, wins a Wild Card game in January.

After slow starts for both teams, the Eagles (6-5) and Cardinals (7-4) meet today in a matchup of two of the league's hottest teams. Neither squad has lost since October, with Arizona racking up four straight wins and Philadelphia stringing together three consecutive victories before last week's bye.

In fact, this game could be an NFC playoff preview, writes ESPN.com's John Clayton, who gives the Cardinals the edge thanks to a stout defense and an offense that's finally clicking behind veteran quarterback Carson Palmer:

Of the two, the Cardinals might be the hotter team. Their defense isn't getting enough credit for how good it is. Defenders fly to the football as fast as any team in the league. The defense has star power, and the schemes are creative. But the big story has been Palmer. Over the past three games, he has been almost unstoppable. He's completed better than 70 percent of his passes over the past two games and has averaged two touchdowns a game over the past three.

Foles leads the NFL with a 128.0 passer rating (he will break Aaron Rodgers' single-season record of 122.5 if he keeps it up) and he has yet to throw an interception in 162 attempts for the Eagles this season. But the Cardinals' pass defense has been stellar, especially in the team's recent push into the NFC playoff picture. In the last four games, opposing quarterbacks facing the Cardinals have a passer rating of 64.2, and in the last 185 passes thrown by opposing signal-callers, the Cardinals have logged seven interceptions. On the season, Arizona is tied for third in the league with 15 picks.

McCoy leads the NFL in rushing and the Cardinals are tough to run on. That will make this a fun battle to watch. Can the Eagles spread out the Cardinals and run it like they have against so many defenses?

Peterson is a top-level corner when it comes to matching up with the opposition's best receiver. He has the ability to take them away. But Jackson will provide a stiff test with his quickness and speed. Peterson is physical, so I would expect him to use that against the smaller Jackson.

The Arizona offense has its own playmakers, particularly in the passing game. Second-year wide receiver Michael Floyd leads the team in receiving yards and looks more dynamic by the week, but it's longtime Cardinals stud Larry Fitzgerald who Chris Strauss of USAToday.com lists as one of his five players to watch this weekend:

The seven-time Pro Bowl receiver has been rejuvenated as Carson Palmer and the Cardinals have hit their stride lately with a four-game winning streak. While Michael Floyd leads the team in receiving yards, Fitzgerald remains Arizona's top scoring target as he looks to have yet another big game against the Eagles. Fitzgerald has 25 catches for 412 yards and six touchdowns in his last three games against Philadelphia. This matchup could have a significant bearing on the playoff hopes of both NFC wild card contenders. The Eagles' pass defense, which is currently giving up a league-worst 300 yards per game, will have to do better than that against Arizona's air attack.

Watch the folks at NFL.com set the stage for the Eagles-Cardinals matchup:

• CBSSports.com's experts favor the Cardinals over the Eagles by a 5-4 vote, but unanimously predict wins for the Patriots over the Texans and the Giants over the Redskins.

• All but three of ESPN.com's 13 panelists pick the Broncos to beat the Chiefs, the 49ers to top the Rams and the Browns to handle the Jaguars.

• Over at USAToday.com, five of seven writers endorse Patriots over Texans as their "Lock of the Week," with the two remaining votes going to Colts over Titans and Bills over Falcons.

• SI.com's Don Banks predicts a 13-10 victory for the Jets over the Dolphins today and a 27-21 win for the Seahawks over the Saints on Monday night.

What they're saying

Green Bay Packers guard Josh Sitton (71) takes a break during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

"Their entire defense takes cheap shots all the time -- that's what they do, that's who they are," he said Tuesday during a radio interview with WSSP-AM in Milwaukee. "They're a bunch of dirtbags, or scumbags. That's how they play, that's how they're coached. That starts with their frickin' coach."

"We need to get tougher, choke people, punch them in their throat," a disgusted Daniels said following the 40-10 loss. "I mean, that guy got a helmet-to-helmet on us. You know what? He was trying to send a message and every now and then you got to do that."

"There's no shutdown corners in this league," Avant told CSNPhilly.com. "That's just the honest truth. There are very, very, very good players and [Peterson is] a very, very good player and that's just what you have. But in this league, with all of the rules and all of the things that that can transpire when the quarterback is accurate, there is no one that can literally be lock down. He's in the top two or three best, but there's still no lock down."

Solving their QB conundrum is absolutely task No. 1 for the Browns this offseason. Between free agency and a pair of first-round picks (thanks, Trent Richardson!), Cleveland should be able to do just that in the coming months.

There's plenty to like elsewhere on this roster, as well as in the coaching staff.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees warms up for a game between the Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints at the Superdome on Monday, September 30, 2013. (Michael DeMocker, Nola.com / The Times-Picayune)Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

"I never looked at it (height) as an issue for myself, I'm sure Russell has never looked at it as an issue for him," Brees said. "There are no excuses. There are so many other more important things about playing the quarterback position besides your height. There's a leadership ability, there's a playmaking ability, there's instinctive things that you just can't teach, you can't tell by watching a guy throw a ball or run a 40-yard dash."